Town Square

Paintings stolen as Pleasanton Hotel restaurant closes

Original post made
on Jan 5, 2009

Noted Pleasanton artist Charlotte Severin said yesterday that three of her five original paintings were stolen from the front lobby of the Pleasanton Hotel restaurant Dec. 30. She estimated the value of the three paintings at $2,000

Posted by Pete
a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Jan 5, 2009 at 8:05 pm

The value of the missing paintings could be a backdrop involving a famous Pleasanton dignitary. $$$$ Your guess is as good as any who that person may of been. Therefore,the value of the paintings are subjective to each individual separately.If only these paintings were to miraculously appear...at any given time,there value to me could be $3000.00.I hope Charlotte gets them back.Happy New Year! As for that dignitary...Cholo and the Imitators, that would bring big bucks.

Posted by anonymous
a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Jan 6, 2009 at 9:18 am

The point isn't whether they were worth $500 or $2000 but the fact that someone stole them! They certainly were not free.

FYI artist painting are appraised based on previous art sold and the stature of the artist. It is disconcerting to me to see people question the monetary value of something without knowing the background and completely disregard the fact that the painting have value and they were stolen!

Posted by Pete
a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Jan 6, 2009 at 10:04 am

Different variables establish the price of art. Charlotte's pieces stolen may have been her best work. The work stolen may of had historical significance.FYI,your point was well taken. I'm pleased that this issue is cleared up. The Pleasanton Police Dept., I'm sure, will get to the bottom of this,if they have been called.Having attended upscale parties, walking off with something of value is not unusual,for others.I do suspect if that person comes forward, says I'm sorry, no charges will be pressed and move on.

Some artists have inflated egos! Speaking of missy c, the watercolors look clumsy, heavy handed. What's wrong with a little bit of vaid criticism? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...just because some people have been duped, those of us with a trained eye are not so easily taken in. No mes petites, you have got to be desperate to place exhibit your paintings in a venue that will not insure it while it's on display? Very very dumb...very very dumb! sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeesh...

missy c...will you please explain to everybody whether or not your work was insured for their full value? Hmmmmmmmmmmmm...

Posted by M
a resident of Vintage Hills Elementary School
on Jan 6, 2009 at 9:50 pm

whatever-- even if they were worth nothing, the point of the article is that something was stolen from the Pleasanton Hotel. This is not a critical artists site. Take it up with the artist one on one, not under the guise of this website.

Posted by art lover
a resident of Amberwood/Wood Meadows
on Jan 7, 2009 at 9:18 am

The point here is that there was a theft of what should have been insured, how come the Laube's or the artist did not do that? What kind of people were at that party anyhow? Thieves no doubt. If you just want to see overpriced and poorly done art visit Studio 7. Of course you have to get past the dragon lady who is the mom of the owner, she can make anyone feel like they don't belong. Maybe that's why rumor has it they are closing, the owner has gone back to being a winemaker. When you scare off enough business that's gonna happen . . . . .

Posted by Friend of the Plesasanton Hotel
a resident of Foxborough Estates
on Jan 7, 2009 at 12:32 pm

I think its a disgrace that artists of any caliber would use this space to critisize her art work, or the fact that it's insured or not. The point here is someone stole the paintings from the walls of the Pleasanton Hotel. That makes someone a Thief.... the value doesn't matter at this point. I hope the paintings are returned to the rightful owner. The NO questions deal is a way out gracefully. Who would want to display the paintings on their walls, knowing the whole town knows they were stolen?

By the way, don't judge the whole group that was at the Pleasanton Hotel that night as Thieves.... Most of the people there were regular patrons, who supported the Laube's for many years. We are very sorry they will not be running the Hotel in the future.

Posted by Julie
a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Jan 7, 2009 at 7:30 pmJulie is a registered user.

"Charlotte Severin is a signature member of CWA and her paintings hang in the Oakland Museum and the Riverside Art Museum. She has taught art for 15 years for the city of Pleasanton and over 30 years in Bay Area schools."

I don't like every piece of art that hangs in a museum, but it's definitely an honor for an artist to have their artwork hanging in a museum. I agree with Artemis, why don't some of you critics show us what you've got! At least one of you can barely form a sentence, so I find it hard to believe you'd be any better at manipulating a brush.

Posted by Gina Channell-Allen
president of the Pleasanton Weekly
on Jan 8, 2009 at 5:43 amGina Channell-Allen is a registered user.

Some of the comments on this forum have been deleted because they have violated the terms of use, particularly the one that states "You agree not to post comments under multiple names. Postings within a single topic from the same IP address made under different names will be deleted." Others have been deleted because they do not further the conversation.

Posted by Claudette McDermott
a resident of Del Prado
on Jan 12, 2009 at 11:32 amClaudette McDermott is a registered user.

It's amazing, the insensitivity of some of the people commenting here. Stealing is Wrong no matter what. Righting a wrong by returning the item that was stolen is the only way to bring this to the appropriate conclusion of such a negative act. Negative comments don't help anyone and makes that person sound ignorant. Constructive criticism when posted properly can be of help. Art is a personal way to express yourself, just like words. Not everyone will like what you create but you will be respected when you don't try to offend those you are sharing your views with. Enjoy the View, Enjoy Art don't Steal it :)